About St. Joseph · Malden, Massachusetts
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Maplewood/Forestdale section of Malden, Massachusetts, in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston. The parish was established on March 13, 1902, carved out of territory then served by Sacred Hearts Parish, and today it worships in the present church building erected in 1962 at 770 Salem Street. It serves a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual community through weekend and weekday Masses in English, a long-standing Filipino Apostolate Mass on the second Sunday of each month, Eucharistic Adoration four days a week, faith formation for children and youth, the Catholic Daughters, St. Vincent de Paul, Bread of Life outreach, and beloved parish fundraisers such as Wednesday night Bingo and the annual Turkey Rama Thanksgiving dinner.
- Established
- 1902
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Roner J. Graterol Cueche, F.M.I. (Parish Administrator; Sons of Mary Immaculate)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston)
Why belong here
St. Joseph's is a welcoming, multi-ethnic Roman Catholic parish on Salem Street in the Maplewood section of Malden with more than a century of continuous service. Daily and weekend Masses in English are supplemented by Eucharistic Adoration four days a week, a monthly Filipino Apostolate Mass (with Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet at 12:30 PM followed by Mass at 1:00 PM on the second Sunday), a strong Religious Education and Youth Ministry program for grades 7–12, and tangible outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, Bread of Life, and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Parishioners also enjoy long-standing community traditions like Wednesday night Bingo and the annual Turkey Rama Thanksgiving dinner — making St. Joseph's a genuine neighborhood parish as well as a place of worship.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM (also listed as 3:00–3:45 PM in some directory sources)
- By appointment: 781-324-0402
Adoration times
- Monday immediately after the 9:00 AM daily Mass
- Tuesday immediately after the 9:00 AM daily Mass
- Friday immediately after the 9:00 AM daily Mass
- Saturday immediately after the 9:00 AM daily Mass
History of St. Joseph Parish
The parish's story stretches back to a 1894 mission chapel on Salem Street that was elevated to an independent parish on March 13, 1902. Over more than 120 years, nine pastors (plus a brief Team Ministry era) have led the community, and the parish has survived the construction of a new church, a major 1962 building campaign, the painful 1972 closing of its school, the introduction of Team Ministry in 1978, and a steady turnover of pastors in the 21st century. Today the parish is entrusted to the Sons of Mary Immaculate (F.M.I.) and continues a long tradition of welcoming Catholics from many backgrounds, including a strong Filipino Apostolate presence.
- 1894: St. Joseph Chapel dedicated on Salem Street by Bishop Brady
- 1902: Parish established (Father Timothy Holland, first pastor)
- 1920s: New church built; parochial school opens in several small buildings
- 1947: St. Mary of the Assumption, Revere, carved off; 1949: St. Margaret's, Saugus
- 1962: Present church building constructed; complex joined with school and rectory
- 1972: Parish school closed
- 1978–1983: Team Ministry of three priests
- 2006: Fr. Bill Minigan becomes 9th pastor; assists U.S. Navy veteran chaplain
- 2022: Fr. Anthony C. Mecha appointed Administrator
- c. 2025: Parish entrusted to F.M.I.; Fr. Roner J. Graterol Cueche, F.M.I., becomes Administrator
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by a Parish Administrator from the Sons of Mary Immaculate (F.M.I.), with a second priest in residence and additional visiting clergy. A Pastoral Associate coordinates faith formation and parish life, supported by an Administrative Assistant, a Business Manager, a Music Director, and a Parish Council.
- Parish Administrator: Rev. Roner J. Graterol Cueche, F.M.I.
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Stanislaus O. Ogu
- Visiting priests: Fr. Alex Okoli, Fr. Ben, Fr. Xulio Ruiz Silva, F.M.I. (Regional Superior)
- Pastoral Associate / Faith Formation: Buffy Walsh
- Business Manager: Kathy Harless
- Liturgy & Music Director: Robert Bezubka
- Administrative Assistants: Cheyenne Arevalo, Devin Corbett, Harriet Kasozi, Maria Glionna
- Parish Council (parishioner members)
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
After the parish school closed in 1972, Religious Education became the heart of the parish's ministry to children and families, with the program carried forward notably by Father Michael Regan. Today the parish continues to offer Religious Education and a Youth Ministry program open to all students in grades 7–12 who are parishioners or enrolled in the Religious Education program. The coordinator, Buffy Walsh, is also the parish Pastoral Associate.
- Religious Education program for parish children
- Youth Ministry for grades 7–12 — activities, faith sharing, and community
- Welcoming environment with quality friendships and faith formation
- Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation prepared through the program
Community Programs and Outreach
Outreach and lay-led community groups are a hallmark of St. Joseph's identity. The parish hosts chapters of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and St. Vincent de Paul, partners with Bread of Life to feed those in need, and offers parish family events such as Bingo, Movie Night, Kids Corner, and Art Fun.
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Bread of Life
- Parish Council
- Wednesday Night Bingo (Parish Hall, Charitable Gaming license)
- Movie Night / Cinema
- Kids Corner and Art Fun family events
Filipino Apostolate — North Shore Community
Since at least 2013, St. Joseph Parish has hosted the Filipino Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Boston's North Shore Community. The community gathers at the church on the second Sunday of each month, praying the Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet at 12:30 PM followed by Holy Mass at 1:00 PM, with Filipino priests often presiding. The parish has also hosted special celebrations in honor of the Filipino martyrs San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, including a Rosary Procession from the parking lot into the church.
- Monthly Mass: 2nd Sunday, 1:00 PM (Rosary 12:30 PM)
- Site: 790 Salem Street, Malden, MA 02148
- Special celebrations honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod
- Coordinated with the Archdiocese of Boston Filipino Apostolate
Parish Events and Fundraisers
Beyond the liturgy, the parish life of St. Joseph's is marked by two flagship community fundraisers — weekly Wednesday night Bingo and the annual Turkey Rama Thanksgiving dinner — supplemented by family-friendly Movie Nights, Kids Corner gatherings, and seasonal Art Fun events. The 2026 Turkey Rama and Bingo proceeds support the parish's ongoing community and outreach work.
- Wednesday Bingo (Parish Hall, paused June 8, 2026 for remodel; resuming September 2026)
- Annual Turkey Rama Thanksgiving dinner and raffles
- Movie Night / Cinema for parishioners
- Kids Corner and Art Fun (family-focused events)
Sacraments
St. Joseph's prepares parishioners for the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Confessions are heard every Saturday afternoon before the Vigil Mass and by appointment; Baptisms, Marriages, First Communion, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick are arranged through the Parish Office.
- Baptism — preparation through the Parish Office
- Reconciliation — Saturday 2:30–3:15 PM, or by appointment (781-324-0402)
- First Holy Communion — through Religious Education
- Confirmation — through Religious Education
- Marriage — contact the Parish Office
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment, especially for the homebound or hospitalized
Archdiocese of Boston and the Catholic Appeal
St. Joseph Parish is part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston and participates annually in the Cardinal/Archbishop's Catholic Appeal, which funds the central pastoral, charitable, and educational ministries of the Archdiocese. In 2026, the parish reported reaching 92% of its goal under Archbishop Richard Henning's invitation, a testament to the generosity of the parish family.
- Part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
- Annual Catholic Appeal participant
- 2026: parish reached 92% of its Catholic Appeal goal (as of May 24, 2026)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Timothy Holland1902–1924
First pastor; parish carved from Sacred Hearts and established March 13, 1902; territory included Forestdale, Maplewood, Linden, Saugus, and North Revere.
- Rev. Patrick Walsh1924–1935
Second pastor; oversaw rapid growth, erected a new church to replace the old mission chapel, and established the parochial school in several small buildings; transferred to St. Francis Xavier, South Weymouth, April 10, 1935.
- Rev. John Coughlin1935–1950
Third pastor; during his pastorate, St. Mary of the Assumption (Revere, 1947) and St. Margaret's (Saugus, 1949) were carved out of St. Joseph's; died November 20, 1950.
- Rev. Michael Horrigan1950–1962
Fourth pastor; came from St. Theresa's, Sherborn, November 29, 1950; the present church building was constructed in 1962 and the church, school, and rectory were joined into one complex; died January 1962.
- Rev. Theodore Seckel1963–1970
Fifth pastor; named January 23, 1963; oversaw interior renovations of the church and greater lay involvement; his pastorate coincided with Vietnam-era upheaval; died July 16, 1970.
- Rev. Arthur McClory1970
Sixth pastor; longtime St. Joseph's assistant appointed July 1, 1970; improved property and paid down parish debt; presided over the difficult 1972 closing of the parish school; died August 15, 1970.
- Team Ministry (three priests)October 1978–October 1983
Seventh leadership configuration; a relatively new concept in the Archdiocese of Boston at the time.
- Rev. John Daley1983–2006
Eighth pastor; appointed October 11, 1983, replacing the Team Ministry; restored stability after years of tension; assisted over the years by Fr. Dennis O'Driscoll (RIP), Fr. Richard Bakker, and Fr. William Smith; died in office and was succeeded in 2006.
- Rev. William 'Bill' Minigan2006–June 2022
Ninth pastor; former U.S. Navy military chaplain; assisted by Fr. Richard Bakker (who returned from Immaculate Conception and died in Holland, September 5, 2015) and Fr. John Mulloy, who served as Parochial Vicar and then as retired senior priest in residence; retired June 2022.
- Rev. Anthony C. MechaJuly 1, 2022 – c. 2025
Parish Administrator after Fr. Bill's retirement; led the parish through post-Covid recovery and a series of 'maintenance and updates of systems' projects on the 100+ year-old plant.
- Rev. Roner J. Graterol Cueche, F.M.I.c. 2025–present
Current Parish Administrator; a member of the Sons of Mary Immaculate (F.M.I.), assigned by the Archdiocese of Boston to the parish alongside his religious congregation.